A plethora of avian species pecked at popcorn strewn across the lawn at Memorial Park.

Small sharp beaks battled long black bills for scattered morsels. A man and his son disregarded park bird-feeding restrictions, tossing kernels to a flock of geese, ducks, seagulls and a single white swan.

Feathers — white, gray, brown and yellow — erupted in small clouds as beaks missed intended targets and hit competing breasts and wings. Some lunges, accompanied by an angry hiss, were intentional. The bold Canada geese goosed their way to a snack, persuading lesser aggressors to retreat back to the pond.

But the swan conquered all. Full and satisfied, the massive bird pushed off the shore into a smooth sail.

Three ducklings waddled past a green water pistol, the child’s lost toy partially embedded in the muddy bank. They paid it no attention.

City residents occupied benches, their faces all with a slight upward tilt. The park was packed with New Englanders who forgot that spring does in fact come every year.